The title of this article is nothing new. The Miami Dolphins need for Mike Wallace to be involved in the game plan has been discussed at length since his arrival. Most media pundits will tell you the same thing but very few of the locals who are asking those “Wallace/Tannehill” relationship questions will offer a solution. It’s like being book smart vs. street smart. Some have no clue as to what is reality on a football field.

When it comes to the Miami Dolphins and Mike Wallace the game plan needs to be far more simple than “See Mike Run”. A speed burner down the field is still a one trick pony. Albeit a very fast pony. The Dolphins opted to throw to Wallace only a handful of times and in reality none of them were really to his best ability.

Dismissing the two deep balls is easy. Wallace was knocked off his routes and the ball fell long. It happens and is neither an indictment on Tannehill or Wallace. Two other passes were out patterns. The Dolphins are missing the opportunity to exploit opposing corners.

Wallace is double covered every play. The corner has roll over coverage from the safety helping to take away the deep ball. The Dolphins however don’t need to use Wallace deep every time. Set it up. Make the defense guess as to what he is going to do. Make the bite on Mike Wallace’s speed and use it against them.

When a player has the speed and quickness Wallace does an opportunity for great gains is in play. The Dolphins need to use Wallace’s speed to get separation from the secondary. Instead of sending Wallace deep or on some 10 yard out pattern Mike Sherman should be putting Wallace about 20 yards downfield on a button hook pattern.

When lined up the CB is usually about 4 to 5 yards off Wallace. He is too big and physical to bump him at the line. Wallace is at top speed about 5 to 10 yards into his route and the corner will commit immediately that that speed. If Wallace stops his route 20 yards off the line and immediately turns around. The corner’s natural momentum will carry him a few yards past Wallace leaving him wide open. A quick strike from Tannehill should be on target and without coverage in front of the Wallace.